While the Ravens finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs only after losing in the season finale, they became the third team in the last five years to miss the postseason after winning the Super Bowl. Pin much of the blame on the offense.

Former Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak was brought in as the new offensive coordinator after Jim Caldwell left to coach the Detroit Lions. Kubiak's system calls for a heavy reliance on zone blocking, which requires athletic offensive linemen. The re-signing of left tackle Eugene Monroe, trade for center Jeremy Zuttah and return to health of left guard Kelechi Osemele all should help.

The offensive line gave up 48 sacks, fourth most in the NFL, and allowed 91 quarterback hits. Flacco, who received a $120 million contract before the season, threw a career-high 22 interceptions.

"Honestly, what happened last year doesn't matter," Monroe, acquired in a midseason trade, told reporters recently. "It's a new year; everyone has the same opportunity to make a statement."

The Ravens averaged a league-worst 3.1 yards a carry, and running back Ray Rice was limited to 660 yards on the ground. Harbaugh said Rice and backup Bernard Pierce were nagged by injuries and neither broke enough tackles or made enough defenders miss.

Despite Ray Lewis' retirement and Ed Reed's departure in free agency, the defense improved statistically from the Super Bowl season, moving from 17th in yards allowed to 12th. But age is an issue. Five key contributors on the front seven will be 30 or older.

Another sign the tread on the defense's tires was wearing thin was that of the 352 points the team surrendered in 2013, 134 came in the fourth quarter. The Ravens were 5-4 in games decided by three points or fewer.

Quarterback

Flacco has lauded the ease of the new offense, and the use of more timing patterns could help him complete more than 60% of his passes for the first time since 2010. Backup Tyrod Taylor is entering the final season of his contract and has seen little game action.

Running back

Rice is coming off a tough year, personally and professionally. He struggled noticeably after averaging 1,266 yards in the previous four seasons. Off the field, Rice faced aggravated assault charges for an incident involving then-girlfriend Janay Palmer. The two are married, and Rice entered a pretrial intervention program to avoid prosecution. Rice could face discipline from the league. Pierce returns as Rice's backup, but he had shoulder surgery in the offseason and is not expected to be available until training camp.

Wide receiver

With Anquan Boldin traded to the San Francisco 49ers last year, Torrey Smith developed into a No. 1 threat on the outside. The Ravens improved their No. 2 receiver spot with the addition of veteran Steve Smith. The former Carolina Panthers star has a chip on his shoulder and is eager to prove he still can play at 35. The team re-signed Jacoby Jones in the offseason, and Marlon Brown played well as a rookie.

Tight end

The Ravens had the league's fewest snaps with multiple tight ends. Expect that to change under Kubiak. Starter Dennis Pitta was limited to four games because of a hip injury. Newcomer Owen Daniels played in only five because of a broken leg. But the two-time Pro Bowler knows the offense, having spent his first eight seasons in Houston with Kubiak.

Offensive line

Along with re-signing Monroe to a five-year, $37.5 million deal, the Ravens acquired Zuttah from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March to replace Gino Gradkowski, who struggled during his first season as a starter. Osemele returns after having back surgery last fall, and Marshal Yanda remains at right guard. The Ravens need to replace Michael Oher at right tackle, with 2013 fifth-rounder Rick Wagner having the inside track.

Defensive line

End Arthur Jones signed with the Indianapolis Colts, but the selection of Florida State's Timmy Jernigan in the second round gives the team options. If Jernigan wins the job at left end, Haloti Ngata would be the nose tackle with Chris Canty manning the right side. If not, Ngata could shift to end while Brandon Williams handles nose tackle.

Linebacker

Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are still dangerous pass rushers on the outside. After being limited to eight games in 2012, Suggs played a full season and posted 10 sacks. Dumervill had 9½ sacks in his first season with Baltimore. First-round pick C.J. Mosley figures to land the starting role inside next to Daryl Smith. That leaves Arthur Brown, last year's second-rounder, on the outside looking in.

Secondary

Third-round pick Terrence Brooks has experience at free safety and strong safety. The Ravens would like to move last year's first-round pick, Matt Elam, to strong safety full time. While cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb started every game last season, the loss of Corey Graham hurts.

Special teams

The Ravens are rock solid on special teams. Justin Tucker tied for the league lead with six field goals of more than 50 yards and converted 93% of his attempts. Sam Koch averaged 46 yards a punt and had 27 punts land inside the 20. Jones is back as the return specialist.

Coaching

Harbaugh's biggest move of the offseason was landing Kubiak, who in 18 years as a head coach or offensive coordinator finished with a top-10 offense 13 times. Rick Dennison, Kubiak's offensive coordinator in Houston, is the new quarterbacks coach. Former NFL wide receiver Bobby Engram will mentor the players at his old position.